Fluid spray applicator

ABSTRACT

A spray applicator is provided having a housing body within which rustproofing material, such as paint, an asphalt mixture, etc., is introduced under pressure as a liquid and is moved under centrifugal force to cause rotation of an impeller carried within an operating chamber of the housing and to cause a corresponding rotation of a coaxial, forwardly projecting spray nozzle wand. The wand is inserted through a drilled hole or other opening into a hidden area of a vehicle body for applying the liquid to its surfaces. Radial blades of the impeller having a spaced relation within an enclosing wall of the chamber, and a pair of opposite blades may have a closer spaced relation than others for varying the speed of rotation and the liquid spray.

States atent 11 2 [72] Inventor Gerald Toltar 2,509,576 5/1950 Morgan 239/240 3231 Pinehurst Ave, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15216 REIG PATENTS 95:! 3x 1969 540,295 7 1922 France 239/240 7 [45] Patented Sept. 28, 1971 Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. King Attorney Green, McCallister & Miller [54] EZ E Z ABSTRACT: A spray applicator is provided having a housing a g g body within which rustproofing material, such as paint, an [52] 11.1.5. Cl 239/240, a halt mixture, em, is introduced under pressure as a liquid 239/602 and is moved under centrifugal force to cause rotation of an [51] Int. Cl 1305b impeller carried within an operating chamber of the housing of Search and to cause a corresponding rotation of a coaxial forwardly 415/203, 1 166 projecting spray nozzle wand. The wand is inserted through a drilled hole or other opening into a hidden area of a vehicle [56] References body for applying the liquid to its surfaces. Radial blades of UNITED STA E AT the impeller having a spaced relation within an enclosing wall 1,218,936 3/1917 Ford 239/240X of the chamber, and a pair of opposite blades may have a 1,753,841 4/1930 Thompson 239/240 X closer spaced relation than others for varying the speed of 2,371,248 3/1945 McNamara 415/502 X rotation and the liquid spray.

l i i fj i 1 I I l i 1 1 1 i i I I l l 1 I l l I J62 48 35 11 '5: Z5 Z6 4 45 X 7 m 47 262 lFlLlUllI) SPRAY AIPIPILIICA'IIOR This invention relates to an improved spraying device or applicator for liquid rustproofing material and particularly, to a device which is suitable for introducing the liquid within an enclosed area of a vehicle through a small opening in the body thereof that will be capable of effectively applying the liquid to both adjacent and more remote surfaces within the area.

The rustproofing of metal bodies of automotive vehicle is highly important, due to the fact that the metal body members are of relatively thin thicknesses and if not suitably protected will quickly run out, not only due to ordinary corrosion but as accelerated by salt and ozone promoted deterioration. Where the surfaces are fully exposed, it is an easy matter to apply rustproofing liquid, either by an ordinary paint spraying device or by dipping or the use of brushes. However, there has always been a problem with enclosed and more remote areas which may only have a small opening therethrough or which require the drilling of an opening or the application of the liquid. These areas are not fully visible to the operator. Also, it is desirable to apply the liquid through one or at least a minumum number of openings into each area. There is the problem of coating or covering remote as well as adjacent surfaces of an enclosed area. It will be appreciated that one unprotected surface portion is all that is necessary to cause a rusting out of the body member involved.

There has thus been a need for a device or type of operation that will assure a full coverage of even the remote surface portions of an enclosed area or an area not visible to the operator.

It has thus been a object of the invention to provide a new approach to the spraying of protective liquids, such as paint, asphalt, etc., to the surfaces of remote areas.

Another object has been to develop a spray applicator that will automatically, through energy imparted to the liquid being sprayed, cause rotation of a spray wand or nozzle.

Another object has been to device a spray applicator that will effective in covering both adjacent and more remote surfaces of an enclosed area.

A further object of the invention has been to device a spray applicator or device that will automatically vary velocity or spray distance of liquid application during its operation and as applied by a rotating ward and nozzle member.

A still further object of the invention has been to develop a spray applicator device that requires only a small size of opening to the area that is to be sprayed and that utilizes pressure of the liquid that is being sprayed to rotate the applicator, stir the liquid and apply it in a highly efficient manner to coat or cover surface areas.

These and other objects of the invention will appear to those skilled in the art from the illustrated embodiments and the claims.

In the drawings;

FIG. 1 is a vertical view in elevation and partial section illustrating an applicator or spraying device of the invention; this figure is taken generally along the line 1--l of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section on the scale of and taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section on the scale of and taken along the same area as FIG. 2, but illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are vertical fragments illustrating nozzle and wall portions of a wand shown particularly in FIG. ll; these figures illustrate two forms of nozzles and are on the same scale as FIGS. I and 2; and

FIG. 6 is a reduced view in section illustrating a suitable container or source of rustproofing liquid for use in the device or applicator of the invention.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 6 of the drawings, a suitable rustproofing or resisting liquid 13 may be supplied from an inner pressure chamber A of a tank or container 110 to an inlet chamber B and thence, into an operating chamber C of a spray applicator or device 25. As indicated by the arrows a of FIG. 6, the liquid 13 in the chamber A is kept at a suitable pressure, for example, 30 to 35 p.s.i., through the agency of an air inlet nipple connector I2 which is provided with a conventional air valve I2a, such as used for tires and tubes, and that may be connected to a conventional, motor-driven, air compressor unit, such as sued for tires. The paint or liquid material in the chamber A may be replenished from time to time by removing filler cap II and funneling it therein. The bottom of the container I0 is shown provided with an outlet nipple, connector or spigot M having a control and shutoff valve I5, and securely connected by a flexible hose 16 to an inlet connector nipple I7 of a spray device or unit 25 of the invention. As shown in FIGS. I and 2, a control and shutoff valve ISa is also provided for the connector nipple I7.

Liquid from the tank 10 may thus be supplied continuously under pressure through the hose I6 into an annular or circular, outer, inlet chamber B that is provided by a central recess portion about a vertical wall 26a of an upper or forward housing body part 26. The inlet chamber B is closed off by a complementary, vertical wall 24a of a lower or back housing part 24. It will be noted particularly in FIG. I that the two housing parts 24 and 26 are removably secured together by threads 27 at their vertical walls and, in a sealed-off relation, by a pair of flat or disclike, sealing gaskets 28 and 28a.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, liquid enters the chamber C somewhat tangentially by reason of the mounting of inlet fitting 17, in the direction of the arrows b, to flow in a circular and centrifugal flow path along the inlet chamber B and about wall 26a which serves as an intermediate wall between the outer chamber B and an inner, operating chamber C. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, a pair of passageway portions 26c and 2611 are provided in a grouped or closely spaced relation g adjacent opposite sides of the intermediate wall 260. The passageway portions slope or incline in the direction of flow of the liquid in the chamber B to further the centrifugal movement of the liquid, as indicated by the arrows c, from the chamber B into and in a swirling movement within the operating chamber C. In this particular embodiment which is the preferred embodiment of the invention, an impeller 30 has blades or vanes 3I and 32 that project in a spokelike arrangement from its hub 33 and that terminate in a radially spaced relation with respect to the intermediate wall 26 a The blades 31 are shown as having the same radial extension, while opposite blades 32 are shown as having a greater radial extension and thus, a closer spacing with respect to the wall 26a. As a result, when the blades 32 move within a peripheral sector portion f of FIG. 2 they are given additional force impetus and thus, speed -up the rotation of the impeller 30 within the chamber C. This, of course, tends to increase the flow ofliquid from the unit while, at the same time, tends to increase the speed of rotation of its impeller 30 in the counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow d.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, impeller 30' has all of its blades 31' of the same radial length and flow passageway portions 260 are equally spaced about the periphery of the intermediate wall 26a As a result, the impeller 30 will move at a constant stirring and liquid-spraying-out speed, with the quantity of liquid being maintained constant by the throttling action of the liquid being applied through the inlet I7 into the inlet chamber B.

Details of the construction of the unit of the invention are illustrated in FIG. I. In this connection, a pin or pluglike flow control valve 40, shown of boltlike construction, is mounted centrally within a bottom or backwall of the lower housing part 24 to extend coaxially with an upwardly forwardly pro jecting outlet tube or pipe member 35 that is securely mounted within a coaxial bore 33a of the hub 33 of the impeller 30. The valve element 40 has a tapered end portion 40a which is adapted to be moved between a position substantially flush with the inner side of the wall of the housing part 24l into a closing-off engagement with the lower, open end portion of the tubular member 35 to adjust the: unit 25 to a desired rate of flow of the coating liquid. This adjustment may be set and retained throughout a spraying operation. Also, the element 40 may be removed and the inlet 17 inserted in place thereof if, for example, it is desired to apply the pressure fluid directly to the pipe member 35 without causing rotation of the impeller 30; the element 40 will, in such event, be inserted to close off the inlet opening in the housing part 24 from which the inlet 17 has been removed.

A mounting boss of rushing 45 is shown mounted within an offset bore portion 26b that is located centrally of a top or forward wall of the housing part 26 to serve as ajournal or hearing for rotation of the tubular member 35 and thus, of the impeller 30. An absorbent waste or feltlike packing 46 may be saturated with oil or grease is shown positioned within a concave or cone-shaped back end bore portion of the bushing 45 to surround the tubular member 35 and rest upon the forward end of the hub 30 to thus seal off the revolvingjoint. A supplemental seal is provided by a resilient O-ring 47 that is carried within a recess portion of the boss 45 in the spaced relation forwardly of the packing 46. A threaded bore 45a is shown extending through the boss 45 to an annular groove in the packing 46 for checking its condition and adding oil or grease as needed. A headed screw 44 is employed to normally close off the bore 4511. A snapring 48 is adapted to engage within an annular recess about the tubular member 35 and to rest on the outer face of the boss 45 for holding the member 35 and it impeller 30 in a rotatably supported relation which the operating chamber C.

An upper end portion 35a of the tubular member 35 is threaded to removably receive an internally threaded socket portion 36a of a forwardly longitudinally extending wand 36. The wand 36 is adapted to extend up through a hole in the area that is to be sprayed and may be of metal or reinforced resin material or, if desired, of somewhat flexible construction. The want 36 is hollow as shown and its forward end wall is closed off and provided with a spray nozzle construction. In FIG. 1, the spray outlet is provided by a longitudinal side slit 36b, in FIG. 4 it is provided by a flattened and crimped open slit portion; and in FIG. 5 it is provided by upwardly or forwardly inclined, longitudinally and peripherally spaced-apart openings 36b.

In the device 25, liquid to be spray applied is introduced under pressure through a tangential opening or inlet into annular inlet chamber B to thereby impart a centrifugal movement of the liquid along such chamber. The group or plurality of tangential passageway portions 26c and 26d or 26c that are provided in the intermediate wall 260 between the inlet chamber B and an operating inner chamber C, generally extend, slope or incline in a somewhat tangential direction or in the same general direction as the circumferential flow of liquid in the outer chamber.

The liquid enters the inner or operating chamber C as tangential jets which produce a swirling or centrifugal movement therein and a corresponding rotating movement ofimpeller 30 as imparted to its spokelike, radially extending blades or vanes. The liquid is discharged from or leaves the operating chamber C coaxially thereof and is passed through the lengthwise-extending tubular or hollow discharge wand member 36 and out of its spray nozzle end wall portion.

Assuming that the spokes of the impeller 30 are of the same radius or outward length, then any increasing the pressure of supply of the liquid to the unit will decrease the flow through quantity per unit of time due to throttling action. By employing passageway slot portions in the intermediate wall 26a between the inner and outer chambers that have a grouped spacing, in combination with at least a pair of oppositely positioned impeller blades or vanes 32 of greater radius or extend than the remainder of the blades 31, I provide a periodic increase in the force applied to the impeller represented at segmental peripheral portions, such as f of its path or rotative movement that will, turn, produce a momentary greater speed of rotation of the impeller and greater throw distance of outflow of the liquid from the spray nozzle, thus providing a variation of spray such that adjacent as well as more remote surfaces can be sprayed from one opening provided into an area or portion of the vehicular body that is normally hidden or enclosed.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various additions, modifications and subtractions may be made as to the illustrated embodiments of the invention without departing from its spirit and scope.

Iclaim:

1. In a spray device for applying rustproofing liquid to the surfaces of hidden wall areas of a vehicle and the like wherein the liquid is supplied under positive pressure to the device, a housing body defining a chamber area therewithin, an intermediate annular wall dividing said chamber area into an annular outer liquid-receiving chamber and a circular central inner operating chamber, an impeller rotatably carried by said body within said inner operating chamber and having a hub provided with radially projecting blades, an inlet portion extending directly through said housing body into and in a substantially tangential flow relation with respect to said outer chamber for flowing liquid in a circular path therealong, passageway portions extending through said intermediate wall in a substantially tangential relation to direct liquid from said outlet chamber against the blades of said impeller within said operating chamber for rotating said impeller therewithin, a hollow longitudinal outlet member extending coaxially inwardly through said hub for rotation therewith being directly open at an inlet inner end portion thereof axially centrally to said operating chamber to directly receive liquid therefrom during the rotation of said impeller, said outlet member projecting forwardly outwardly in a sealed-off relating through said body, and a spray nozzle carried by an outer end portion of said outlet member for spraying the liquid on surfaces.

2. In a spray device as defined in claim I, said passageway portions comprising oppositely positioned pairs, and each passageway portion of each pair being in a closely spaced relation with respect to the other passageway portion of the same pair; and said intermediate wall being closed off therealong between said oppositely positioned pairs of passageway portions.

3. In a spray device as defined in claim 2 said blades all having a radially inwardly spaced-apart relation with respect to said intermediate wall for tree rotation within said inner chamber, and opposite pair of said blades having a greater radial outward extent than the other of said blades for providing a momentary increase of rotative movement of said impeller within opposite circumferential segments of said intermediate wall that include portions thereof within which said pairs of passageway portion are located.

4. In a spray device as defined in claim 1, said passageway portions being located in a substantially equally spaced-apart relation along said intermediate wall for introducing the liquid substantially uniformly about said hub, and each of said blades terminating at its outer end portion in an inwardly spaced relation with respect to said intermediate wall.

5. In a spray device as defined in claim 1, an adjustable element operatively carried by said body for coaxial movement with respect to said inlet inner end portion of said hollow member to regulate flow of the liquid from said operating chamber into said hollow member.

6. In a spray device as defined in claim 5, said adjustable element being removable for closing off said first mentioned inlet portion and for providing an alternative direct inlet portion through said body to said open base portion of said hollow member.

7. In a spray device as defined in claim 1, a threaded boltlike element removably extending through said body in alignment with respect to said open base portion of said hollow member, whereby when said element is removed and alternative inlet portion for the liquid will be provided.

8. In a spray device as defined in claim 1, said housing body comprising a lower cup-shaped part and an upper complementary cup-shaped part having sidewalls threadably removably engaging each other and defining said inner operating chamber, and a central annular recess portion along the sidewall of said upper housing part and defining said inlet chamber with the sidewall of said lower housing part.

9. In a spray device as defined in claim 8, bushing and fluid sealing parts carried centrally of said upper housing part, said hollow member extending rotatably through said bushing and fluids sealing parts and rotatably suspending said impeller within said operating chamber, and means removably mounting said hollow member with respect to said bushing part.

10. In a spray device as defined in claim 1, a longitudinally extending tubular want member removably secured at it back end to an outer end of said hollow member to project forwardly therefrom, said wand member having a forward end wall comprising said spray nozzle, and a longitudinally extending narrow slot portion along said forward end wall for spraying the liquid outwardly therefrom.

11. In a spray device as defined in claim lll, said forward end wall being of flattened and crimped shape along said slot portion, and said slot portion being open to the end of and to opposite sides thereof.

12. In a spray device as defined in claim 1, a tubular forwardly extending wand member removably secured at its back end to an outer end of said hollow member to project therefrom, said wand member having a forward end wall comprising sad spray nozzle, a plurality of forwardly sloped holes through said forward end wall in a longitudinally and peripherally spaced-apart positioning thereabout for spraying the liquid from said wand member.

13. In a spray device as defined in claim 1, said blades all having a radially spaced-apart relation with respect to said intermediate wall for nonfrictional rotation with respect thereto, and at least one of said blades having a closer spaced relation with respect to said intermediate wall than another of said blades for varying the flow from said nozzle during the rotation of said impeller.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 608,828 Dated September 28, 1971 Inventofl s) fig m .d Toke:

It is certified that error appears in the abov e identigied patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

T Column 1 line 1 1 change "run" to --rust--; lines 3 5 and 38, change "device" to --devise--; line 36, before "effective" insert --be--; line 1,1 change "ward" to ---wand--.

Column 2, line 3, change "sued" to --used--; line A0,

insert a period after "26a",-.-; line 5 insert a period after "26a".

Column 3, line 5, change "of" to --or--; line 2A., change "which" to --within-; line 32, change "want" to --wand--; line 59, change "increasing" to --increase in; line 66, change "extend" to --extent-; line 69, after "path" change "or" to *"'Of""o Column A, line 22 (claim 1 before "operating" insert --inner--; line 28, change "relating" to --relation--. Line 40 (claim 3) change "tree" to --free-; line 1 1 change "and" to --an--; line 1 6, change "portion" to --portions. Line 67 (claim 7) after "removed" change "and" to --an-.

Column 5, line 8 (claim 10) change "want" to wand-. Line 11, (claim 11) change "11" to --10--.

Column 6, line 5 (claim 12) change "sad" to --said--.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of March 1972.

(SEAL) fittest:

EQNARD M.FLETCHER, JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK attesting Officer 3 Commissioner of Patents 

1. In a spray device for applying rustproofing liquid to the surfaces of hidden wall areas of a vehicle and the like wherein the liquid is supplied under positive pressure to the device, a housing body defining a chamber area therewithin, an intermediate annular wall dividing said chamber area into an annular outer liquid-receiving chamber and a circular central inner operating chamber, an impeller rotatably carried by said body within said inner operating chamber and having a hub provided with radially projecting blades, an inlet portion extending directly through said housing body into and in a substantially tangential flow relation with respect to said outer chamber for flowing liquid in a circular path therealong, passageway portions extending through said intermediate wall in a substantially tangential relation to direct liquid from said outlet chamber against the blades of said impeller within said inner operating chamber for rotating said impeller therewithin, a hollow longitudinal outlet member extending coaxially inwardly through said hub for rotation therewith being directly open at an inlet inner end portion thereof axially centrally to said operating chamber to directly receive liquid therefrom during the rotation of said impeller, said outlet member projecting forwardly outwardly in a sealed-off relation through said body, and a spray nozzle carried by an outer end portion of said outleT member for spraying the liquid on surfaces.
 2. In a spray device as defined in claim 1, said passageway portions comprising oppositely positioned pairs, and each passageway portion of each pair being in a closely spaced relation with respect to the other passageway portion of the same pair; and said intermediate wall being closed off therealong between said oppositely positioned pairs of passageway portions.
 3. In a spray device as defined in claim 2 said blades all having a radially inwardly spaced-apart relation with respect to said intermediate wall for free rotation within said inner chamber, and opposite pair of said blades having a greater radial outward extent than the other of said blades for providing a momentary increase of rotative movement of said impeller within opposite circumferential segments of said intermediate wall that include portions thereof within which said pairs of passageway portions are located.
 4. In a spray device as defined in claim 1, said passageway portions being located in a substantially equally spaced-apart relation along said intermediate wall for introducing the liquid substantially uniformly about said hub, and each of said blades terminating at its outer end portion in an inwardly spaced relation with respect to said intermediate wall.
 5. In a spray device as defined in claim 1, an adjustable element operatively carried by said body for coaxial movement with respect to said inlet inner end portion of said hollow member to regulate flow of the liquid from said operating chamber into said hollow member.
 6. In a spray device as defined in claim 5, said adjustable element being removable for closing off said first mentioned inlet portion and for providing an alternative direct inlet portion through said body to said open base portion of said hollow member.
 7. In a spray device as defined in claim 1, a threaded boltlike element removably extending through said body in alignment with respect to said open base portion of said hollow member, whereby when said element is removed and alternative inlet portion for the liquid will be provided.
 8. In a spray device as defined in claim 1, said housing body comprising a lower cup-shaped part and an upper complementary cup-shaped part having sidewalls threadably removably engaging each other and defining said inner operating chamber, and a central annular recess portion along the sidewall of said upper housing part and defining said inlet chamber with the sidewall of said lower housing part.
 9. In a spray device as defined in claim 8, bushing and fluid sealing parts carried centrally of said upper housing part, said hollow member extending rotatably through said bushing and fluid sealing parts and rotatably suspending said impeller within said operating chamber, and means removably mounting said hollow member with respect to said bushing part.
 10. In a spray device as defined in claim 1, a longitudinally extending tubular wand member removably secured at it back end to an outer end of said hollow member to project forwardly therefrom, said wand member having a forward end wall comprising said spray nozzle, and a longitudinally extending narrow slot portion along said forward end wall for spraying the liquid outwardly therefrom.
 11. In a spray device as defined in claim 11, said forward end wall being of flattened and crimped shape along said slot portion, and said slot portion being open to the end of and to opposite sides thereof.
 12. In a spray device as defined in claim 1, a tubular forwardly extending wand member removably secured at its back end to an outer end of said hollow member to project therefrom, said wand member having a forward end wall comprising said spray nozzle, a plurality of forwardly sloped holes through said forward end wall in a longitudinally and peripherally spaced-apart positioning thereabout for spraying the liquid from said wand member.
 13. In a spray device as defined in claim 1, said blades all having a radially spaced-apart relation with respect to said intermediate wall for nonfrictional rotation with respect thereto, and at least one of said blades having a closer spaced relation with respect to said intermediate wall than another of said blades for varying the flow from said nozzle during the rotation of said impeller. 